2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

[winbasic]

Hi,

I noticed today during a regular inspection that the main belt on my 2003 VP 5.7GXI has started fraying - bits of belt through the engine bay and looking generally sad. In the workshop manual, I can't find any reference to a part number or how to replace it.

Searching through the forums here, I note that rust can shred the belts. I've posted a few pictures below - there is rust on the casing of my alternator - is this usual? It was on it when I purchased the boat and I'm wondering if there is any way to prevent it. Do I need to remove the pulley to paint it?

With my previous boat, I'd shower the thing in water repellant but I've been told I don't need to do it with an inboard but how else do I prevent the corrosion? Also, the main pulley seems to be corroding two.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

David.

Pulley Corrosion

Alternator

Engine

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

Clean all the pulleys up and paint them. Then put on a new belt and keep the engine dry. Make sure the bearings in the idler pulleys are smooth.
Then spray your engine with your favorite corrosion guard for protection

 

[burp]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

In the pictures it seems that the belt installed is narrower than the pulley's. Are you sure the correct belt is installed?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

you can try to clean and paint them, it rarely works.
even with fresh paint the surfaces are still pitted.
looks like your seawater pump seals are leaking throwing a mist of water all over the engine.
its normal, the seals in the pump dont last forever.
if the seal is still leaking I simply replace the pump, the sucess rate with resealing is very low.

 

[searay3]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

Might try running the proper belt. That looks like a vbelt on serpentine pulleys

 

[superpop]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

You have a few things going on here, it looks like the pump has a leak or somehow you are getting a lot of saltwater into your bilge area, that is causing the corrosion on the pulleys along with everything else. I would remove all pulleys and if you have a lathe, put them on it and sand them all down smooth, you can also use a drill for this but it requires some monkeying around to get it to work. You have to get down to bare metal and then prime and paint the clean parts. You also want to fix the leak or it will just happen again. You are playing with fire if you do not fix this right as you need that belt for your electrical system to work properly. Also, it does not look like the correct belt, almost looks like the belt has lost some width due to shredding on the pulleys. I would also most certainly carry a spare belt with me.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

In the pictures it seems that the belt installed is narrower than the pulley's. Are you sure the correct belt is installed?

The outer edge of the belt has been stripped off but even looking at the pieces, it does look narrow.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

you can try to clean and paint them, it rarely works.
even with fresh paint the surfaces are still pitted.
looks like your seawater pump seals are leaking throwing a mist of water all over the engine.
its normal, the seals in the pump dont last forever.
if the seal is still leaking I simply replace the pump, the sucess rate with resealing is very low.

Thanks for that - at least that goes a long way to explaining why it appears that the engine bay is getting a hosing!

Are the pumps relatively easy to replace or is it something I should get a mechanic in to do. If I replace the pump, then should a wire brush of the alternator pulley along with a coat of paint get me sorted or should I replace the alternator pulley?


Searay3 mentioned that it might be a "vbelt on serpentine pulleys" - if I take those photos to the local Penta dealer, is there sufficient detail for them to tell which belt I need?

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

No, that is a serpentene belt, not a Vbelt. Yours has the edge worn off them. That is why I said check the idlers and tensioner. IF they are worn they will push the belt off to one side and it will just shave it down thinner.

 

[burp]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

winbasic, Give the Volvo Penta dealer the model and serial number of your engine. That should be sufficient detail to get the exact serpentine belt for your application.

I'll agree that the outer edge of the belt has stripped off......but the belt looks like it is only half as wide as the pulleys. If that much belt wore off there should be chunks laying around. To me it looks like some one installed a narrower "it'll do" serpentine belt.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

It's NOT a narrow belt installed. Look how ragged both edges of the belt are. They are worn down and probably a black dust covered everything on the front of the engine. The picture is really bright and probably maskes the dust but his statement saying it needs hosed out tends to confirm the dust.
I have seen this happen on many Volvos when the pulleys get corroded and rusty, and the idler and tensioner bearing let the contact area to the belt twist.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

winbasic, Give the Volvo Penta dealer the model and serial number of your engine. That should be sufficient detail to get the exact serpentine belt for your application.

I'll agree that the outer edge of the belt has stripped off......but the belt looks like it is only half as wide as the pulleys. If that much belt wore off there should be chunks laying around. To me it looks like some one installed a narrower "it'll do" serpentine belt.

You guessed it correctly! I've got strips which are about 1 to 2mm wide and about a 1/2 foot (nothing like a mix of metric and imperial in the same sentence!) long. There is a fine dust over everything also.

Of particular concern is if I have to replace the salt water pump - I'm assuming this isn't going to be a cheap option! I've emailed a local dealer with the photos so I can get the job done. Thanks to everyone who's posted to this request for help - its been greatly appreciated!

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

DO NOT go by pictures to order parts, use the Model and Serial numbers. here is where those numbers are located on your engine.
http://www.volvopentastore.com/mall/template/store/volvopenta/help.html

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

you can see the belt dust all over the motor, changing the pump is simple.
remove the hoses,remove the bracket then remove the 3 allen head bolts. installation is pretty much the reverse.
paying for the pump is a bit different .
but try to clean and smooth the rest of the pulleys, if not then replace as nessasary.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

DO NOT go by pictures to order parts, use the Model and Serial numbers. here is where those numbers are located on your engine.
http://www.volvopentastore.com/mall/template/store/volvopenta/help.html

I wasn't going to attempt it myself and was going to get someone to do the job for me. I'm comfortable with basic mechanical maintenance but I think I need to get someone to look at the engine for piece of mind just in case another problem is lurking about that I don't have the knowledge to pick up.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

Just a bit of an update to this issue. I had the local VP dealer go and inspect. It appears the wrong belt was originally installed (looks more like an auto belt compared with the spare belt I now have). The pump has been removed and refurbished along with being sand blasted and repainted. New impellor and new belt fitted. The tensioner and the alternator both move freely so hopefully once its back on, all should be fine.

Thanks again to everyone for their assistance in resolving this problem - its been informative and most appreciated.

 

[Coors]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

It might not hurt to get a straight edge, and check to see if all the pulleys( especially accessories) are in line.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

I had the local VP dealer go and inspect. It appears the wrong belt was originally installed (looks more like an auto belt compared with the spare belt I now have).

Bull hockey. The automotive belts are the same exact width. It's a standard width belt that has worn down from the corrosion. Dealer is trying to impress someone with his knowledge.

The pump has been removed and refurbished along with being sand blasted and repainted.

Just understand, that is not a VOLVO repair. That is a repair made by a shop that went looking for a seal the would fit. Volvo doesn't sell the seal or a repair kit. So if it fails, don't blame Volvo, blame the dealer that did the job cheaply. While they may have cleaned up the corrosion and painted it, the wear inside the pump housing didn't change.

 

[winbasic]

Re: 2003 5.7GXI Volvo Belt/Corrosion problem

Just understand, that is not a VOLVO repair. That is a repair made by a shop that went looking for a seal the would fit. Volvo doesn't sell the seal or a repair kit. So if it fails, don't blame Volvo, blame the dealer that did the job cheaply. While they may have cleaned up the corrosion and painted it, the wear inside the pump housing didn't change.

Yep - fully aware this is a dealer repair and not a volvo repair. I understand there is a pump repair kit available from Volvo and I'm assuming this is what they've used on it. The pump apparently showed now internal corrosion and turned freely. They did "straight edge" the rollers/pulleys etc and apparently everything has lined up. I can't remember the part number quoted, but the local Volvo Penta dealer (different to the dealer who is doing the repair) said there was a pump refurbishment kit available which contained seals and other bits and pieces. Whether this is a kit they've made or not I'm not sure but they did quote a part # for it. I'll see if I can get the part # next week and post it here.